Multi-position electric switch lock assembly



A. ARENDT March 9, 1965 MULTI-POSITION ELECTRIC SWITCH LOCK ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 31, 1960 INVENTOR:

HLFREA HE END 7' his 19 7700/9 March 9, 1965 A. ARENDT 3,172,968

MULTI-POSITION ELECTRIC SWITCH LOCK ASSEMBLY Filed May 31, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,172,968 MULTI-POSITION ELECTRIQ SWITCH LOCK ASSEMBLY Alfred Arendt, Stuttgart, Germany, assignor to Robert Bosch G.m.h.H., Stuttgart, Germany Filed May 31, 1960, Ser. No. 32,999 Claims priority, application Germany, Shane 18, 1959, B 53,636 14 Claims. (Cl. 200-42) The present invention relates to a multi-position electric switch lock assembly, and more particularly to an assembly which is especially suited as a combined ignition and starter switch for motor Vehicles.

An important object of the present invention is to provide an electric switch lock assembly of the above outlined characteristics which is constructed and assembled in such a way that the movable contactors may be advanced from a first end position through at least one intermediate position and into a second end position only by starting their movement from the first end posi tion. Such arrangement is particularly desirable in combined ignition and starter switches for motor vehicles because it prevents a careless driver from completing the starter circuit when the engine is running.

Another object of the invention is to provide an elec tric switch lock assembly of the above described type which consists of a small number of component parts, which is reliable in use, and in which a single shifting member may advance the movable contactors into a series of diiferent positions.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide an electric switch lock assembly of the above outlined characteristics in which a single retaining member, in cooperation with the aforementioned shifting member, may pre* vent the movable contactors from moving into the second end position without first returning into the first end position.

With the above objects in view, the invention resides in the provision of an electric switch lock assembly which comprises essentially a carrier for the stationary contactor means, a follower which mounts the movable contractor means, a shifting member which is coupled with the follower to rotate the latter between a first and a second end position through at least one intermediate position, means for rotating the shifting member, a retaining member which is rockable by the shifting member when the latter moves with the follower from the first toward and into the second end position and which pro vents the rotation of the shifting member from an intermediate position into the second end position, and a resilient return spring which constantly biases the shifting member into that intermediate position from which the shifting member cannot advance into the second end posi tion without returning into the first end position.

The means which rotates the shifting member may be a key insertable into a tumbler cylinder of a suitable lock assembly, the cylinder being coupled for rotation with the shifting member. The retaining means preferably assumes the form of a two-armed spring biased retaining level one arm component of which is engaged by a rocking cam formed on or connected with the shifting member when the latter advances toward the second end position, and the other arm component of which is then rocked into the path of an arresting tooth formed on or connecting with the shifting member so that, once the shifting member is free to return into a selected intermediate position under the bias of the aforementioned return spring, the arresting tooth and the cooperating second arm component of the two-armed rocking lever prevent the shifting member from moving into the second end position. The engagement between the arresting tooth and the second arm component of the retaining lever is terminated when the shifting member is returned into its first end position because its rocking cam then turns the lever in a direction to move the second arm component away from the path of the aforementioned arresting tooth.

In one of its preferred forms, the two-armed retaining lever is constantly biased into two spaced angular positions by a pawl formed on a fiat spring which is anchored in the housing of the switch assembly and which is receivable in two detent notches at the opposite sides of a protuberance formed on the retaining lever. When the pawl is received in one of the detent notches, the first arm component of the retaining lever is in the path of the rocking cam on the shifting member so that the cam rocks the retaininglever While the shifting member moves toward the second end position. On the other hand, when the pawl is received in the other detent notch, the second arm component of the retaining lever is in the path of the arresting tooth on the shifting member so that the latter cannot advance to its second end position without first returning into the first end position.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description of two specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partly elevational and partly sectional view of a multi-position electric switch lock assembly embodying one form of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary detail view of a shifting member and of a retaining member which form part of the switch lock assembly of FIG. 1, the shifting member being shown in its first end position;

FIG. 3 is a similar detail view showing the shifting member and the retaining member in an intermediate position;

FIG, 4 is another detail view of the shifting member and of its retaining member in the second end position;

FIG. 5 is a further detail view of the shifting member and of its retaining member back in the intermediate position in which the retaining member prevents the shifting member from being angularly displaced into the second end position;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary detail view of a second embodiment showing a modified retaining member and a modified shifting member in the first end position;

FIG. 7 is a similar detail View showing the modified shifting member and its retaining member in an intermediate position;

FIG. 8 is a further detail view of the modified shifting member and of its retaining member in the second end position;

FIG. 9 is an additional detail view of the modified shifting member and of its retaining member back in the intermediate position in which the retaining member prevents the shifting member from moving into the second end position; and

FIG. 10 is afragmentary top plan view of the biasing means for the modified retaining member as seen in the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 6.

Referring now in greater detail to the illustrated embodiments, and first to FIG. 1, there is shown a threeposition electric switch lock assembly SL comprising a circular base plate or terminal carrier ltl which consists of an insulating material and is traversed by several spaced sheet metal strips 11 (only one shown) constituting the stationary contactor means for the terminals lla.

the latter being connectable to suitable conductors leading, for example, to the ammeter and to the solenoid relay of the starter in a motor vehicle, not shown.

The stationary contactor means 11 cooperate with a discoid follower 12 which mounts movable contactor means 120 in a manner well known in the art. The discoid follower 12 is formed with bent strip-like extensions or prongs 13 which slidably project into complementary cutouts 14d formed in a laminated shifting member 14. The shifting member 14 consists of insulating material and its purpose is to rotate the follower 12 and to thereby bring the movable contactor means into current-conducting engagement with selected stationary contactor means 11. The shifting member 14 is received in a compartment 15:: defined by a cup-shaped housing 15 which is formed with a hub-like projection 16, the latter mounting a lock cylinder 17. This cylinder 17 may be of the pin, disk, or side bar tumbler type and is rotatable in the hub 16 upon insertion of a rotating means in the form of a key 20. The coaxial extension 18 of the lock cylinder 17 is rotatably mounted in the bore 19 of the terminal carrier 10, the latter also mounting the open end portion of the housing 15. The shifting member 14 is formed with two diametrically opposed keyways 14a which communicate with its cylinder-receiving bore-14b (see FIG. 2) and receive with certain play two splines 17a of the cylinder 17 so that the shifting member 14 participates in rotary movements of the cylinder when the latter is turned by the key 20. The shifting member 14 is held in requisite axial position with respect to the cylinder 17 by two sleeve-like projections a, a forming part of the terminal carrier 10 and of the housing 15, respectively. The follower 12 is permanently biased into engagement with the end of faces of stationary contactor means 11 by one or more resilient elements in the form of prestresed helical springs 12a. Each spring 12a is centered on a stud 12b fixed to or integral with the rear side of the follower 12, and in an eccentric aperture 140 formed in the shifting member 14. The tumbler or tumblers mounted in the barrel 1611 may be of any known design and, therefore, are not shown in FIG. 1. As is customary, the key 20 may be withdrawn at least in the ott or first end position of the shifting member 14 and is utilized for rotating the cylinder 17 and for thereby angularly displacing the shifting member 14 with the follower 12 from the off position into two on positions, as well as for angularly moving the shifting member 14 with the follower 12 from the first "on position back into the off position. In FIGS. 2 to 5, the off position of the shifting member 14- is indicated by the phantom line A; the phantom line identified by the character I indicates the intermediate or first on position of the shifting member 14; and the phantom line 11 indicates the second on or second end position of the shifting member. In the on positions I and II, the movable contactor means 120 of the follower 12 and the stationary contactor means 11 complete two electric circuits to thereby respectively turn on the ignition system and to operate the starter of a motor vehicle. It will be noted that the key 20 must be rotated in the same direction for moving the follower 12 from the first.

end position A into the on positions I and II in that order. Of course, it will be readily understood that the improved three-position electric switch lock assembly SL may be utilized for many other purposes, i.e. not only for turning on the ignition system and for operating the starter of a motor vehicle. For example, the switch lock assembly may be employed in electric instrument panels and in certain safety devices.

As is shown in FIG. 1, the bottom Wall of the housing 15 is formed with an eccentric pivot pin 21 of circular cross-sectional contour which extends toward the terminal carrier 10 and rotatably mounts a retaining member in the form of a two-armed lever 22. The axis about which the retaining lever 22 is rockable is parallel with the axis of the cylinder 1'7. The arm components of the lever 22 are integrally formed with or connected to two pallets 23, 24. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5, the pallets 23, 24 constitute two integral portions of the lever 2-2 and are bent from the main plane of the latter in a direction toward the follower 12. The pallet 24 cooperates with a rocking cam 25 formed as an integral part and projecting from the periphery of the shifting member 14-. The other pallet 23 alternately cooperates with an arresting means in the form of a tooth 26 which is also formed on the periphery of the shifting member 14, and with the aforementioned cam 25.

Substantially midway between the pallets 23, 24, the periphery of the lever 22 is formed with a first detent notch 27a which is adjacent to a protuberance 27, the latter separating the notch 27a from a second detent notch 27b. In the off position A of the shifting member 14 which is shown in FIG. 2, the first detent notch 27a receives the suitably configurated ridge or pawl 28 of a biasing means in the form of a flat spring 29. The first or fixed end 30 of the spring 29 is received in a slot of and is secured to a projecting portion 15b forming part of the bottom wall of the housing 15. The second end 30a of the spring 2% is fixed to or slidably received in a slot provided in the projecting portion also forming part of the bottom wall of the housing 15. The pawl 28 of the spring 29 normally holds the retaining lever 22 against rotary movements about the pin 21 by extending into the detent notch 27a (FIGS. 2 and 3) or into the detent notch 27b (FIGS. 4 and 5), but permits angular displacements of the lever 22 when the latter is subjected to a rocking force sufiicient to overcome the bias: of the spring 29. When the lever 22 is rocked by a force exerted against one of its pallets 23, 24, the pawl 281 travels along the protuberance 27 on its way from the: detent notch 27a into the detent notch 27]), or vice versa.

The periphery of the shifting member 14 is formed with a substantially radial recess 31 (see FIG. 1) which. receives the rearwardly bent end portion 32a of a resilient. element here shown as a coiled return spring 32. This: spring is received in the sleeve 10a of the terminal car-- rier 10 and has a forwardly bent second end portion 3212' which is anchored in a bore provided in the rear side of the terminal carrier. The spring 32 always tends to re-- turn the shifting member 14 into the first on position I of FIGS. 3 and 5 but is not stressed when the shifting member assumes this intermediate position I. The pur-- pose of the spring 32 is to automatically return the shift, ing member 14 from the second on position II into thefirst on position I. The fact that the spring 32 may be slightly stressed when the shifting member 14 is in:

the off position A is of no consequence because the: cylinder 17 is then held against rotation by the tumblers: in the barrel 16a whenever the key 20 is released. In; other words, and assuming that the shifting member 14 is" in the second on position II of FIG. 4, the spring 32' will immediately return the shifting member into the in-- termediate position I as soon as the key 20 is released.

by an operators fingers.

The electric switch lock assembly SL operates as fol-- lows:

In the first step, the key 20 is inserted into the key slot of the lock cylinder 17 to release the cylinder from the barrel 16a, whereupon the key may rotate the cyl-- inder and the shifting member 14 from the off position A of FIG. 2 into the first on position I of FIG. 3. The shifting member entrains the follower 12 because the prongs 13 are permanently received in the complemen-.

first on position I of FIG. 3 into the second on posi-.

tion II of FIG. 4, the cam 25 engages with the pallet 24- and rocks the retaining lever 22 about the pivot pin 21 in the opposite direction, i.e. aclockwise: advance of the shifting member from the position I into the position II brings about an anticlockwise rocking movement of the lever 22. During such anticlockwise rocking movement, the protuberance 27 must overcome the bias of the spring 29 so that the pawl 28 may move from the right-hand detent notch 27a into the left-handdetent notch- 27b. The spring 29 then maintains the lever 22 in the position of FIG. 4 so that the pallet 23 extends into the path of the arresting tooth 2s and prevents further clockwise rotation of the shifting member 14.

As explained hereinabove, the return spring 32 hecomes stressed when the shifting member 14 moves from the intermediate position of FIG. 3 into the second end position of FIG. 4, and thereupon constantly tends to return the shifting member into the intermediate position of FIG. 3. Such return movement into the position I which is also shown in FIG. 5 occurs in a fully automatic way as soon as the key 20 is released. During the return movement of the shifting member 14 from the second end position II back into the intermediate position I of FIG. 5, the rocking cam 25 travels beneath the pallet 24 without engaging the same, and the shifting member 14 comes to rest in the intermediate position I of FIG. 5 because the return spring 32 is then in unstressed condition. Therefore, the pallet 23 remains in locking engagement with the arresting tooth 26 and prevents the shifting member 14 from rotation in clockwise direction into the second on position II. In other words, during its rotary movement under the action of the key 2% from the first end position A into the positions I and II, and during its subsequent return movement into the intermediate position I of FIG. 5, the rocking cam 25 engages only once with the pallet 24 and thereby causes the pawl 28 to travel about the protuberance 27 from the first detent notch 27a into the second detent notch 27b, the retaining lever 22 then automatically preventing renewed clockwise angular displacement of the shifting member. Such arrangement prevents a careless driver from completing the starter circuit when the engine of a motor vehicle is running. A second tooth 26a may be provided on the periphery of the shifting member 14 rearwardly of the tooth 26 to engage with the pallet 24 in the position of FIG. 4 and to thereby prevent angular displacements of the shifting member beyond the second end position II.

In order to again complete the starter circuit, i.e. in order to be able to again rotate the shifting member 14 into the second on position II, the operator must first turn the key 20 in anticlockwise direction so as to return the shifting member into the o position A. During such movement which can be followed by observing FIG. 5 and by assuming that the shifting member 14 rotates in anticlockwise direction, the rocking cam 25 engages with the pallet 23 and thereby turns the lever 22 in clockwise direction so as to again force the pawl 28 over the protuberance 27 whereby the pawl is displaced from the detent notch 27b and returns into a position of rest in the right-hand detent notch 27a (see FIG. 2). The shifting member 14 is now again free to rotate in clockwise direction and to move into the positions I and II in that order. It will be noted that the rocking movements of the retaining lever 22 in clockwise direction are caused by the shifting member 14 when the latter is rotated in anticlockwise direction, and vice versa. When the pawl 28'rests in the notch 27a, the shifting member 14 is free to move into both on positions but, once the pawl 28 extends into the detent notch 2712, the shifting member 14 can only be turned back into the on? position A of FIG. 2.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 to difiers only struc' turally from the just described embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5. Thus, the shifting member 14 cooperates with a slightly modified retaining member in the form of a two armed lever 37 which is rockably mounted on and re-' ceives in its bearing groove 40 an inwardly bent lug 41 forming part of and extendinginto the compartment defined by the cupped housing 15.. The modified biasing means in the form of a fiat spring 29 is secured to the side wall 15d of the housing, 15 by two screws 15b, 15c and is. formed: with an elongated closed slot 33, best shown in FIG. 10, for the passage or the rocking camzo" forming part of and projecting from the periphery of the shifting member 14. The slot 33 divides the median portion of the spring 29 into two parallel webs 34 each of which is formed with a pawl 35, the crests of these pawls being aligned in-a direction transverse to the longi tudinal direction of the spring 29'.

The retaining lever 37 is formed with two pallets or arm components 38, 39 which correspond to the pallets 23, 24 of the lever 22 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and also with a slotted central protuberance 36 of substantially triangular contour. The two legs of the protuberance 36 cooperate with the pawls 35 so that the latter arrest the retaining lever 37 either in the oil position A (FIG. 6) and in the first on position I (FIG. 7), or in the second on position II (FIG. 8) and again in the first on position I (FIG. 9), the latter position corresponding to the intermediate position I of the shifting member 14 shown in FIG. 5. The lever 37 may consist of a suitably deformed metallic or plastic band, and the slotted protuberance as may be welded or otherwise secured thereto. Alternately, the two legs of the protuberance 36 may be bent from the general plane of the lever 37 into alignment with the webs 34.

In operation, the component parts of the modified three-position electric switch lock assembly assume the first end position A of FIG. 6 when the tips of the protuberance 36 extend into the detent notches 35a adjacent to the left-hand sides of the pawls 3.) on the webs 34 of fiat spring 29. When the shifting member 14 is then rotated into the first on position I of FIG. 7, the rocking cam 25' travels through the slot 33 of the spring 29 and through the slot of the protuberance 36 toward the right-hand arm component or pallet 39 of the retaining lever 37. In the next step, i.e. when the shifting member 14' is subsequently rotated into the second on position II of FIG. 8, the rocking cam 25 engages with the righthand pallet 39 and turns the lever 37 in anticlockwise direction so that the tips of the protuberance 36 travel along the pawls 3S and come to rest in detent notches 35b. Owing to such anticlockwise rocking movement of the lever 37, the left-hand pallet 38 moves into the path of the arresting tooth 25S and prevents any further clockwise rotation of the shifting member 14. As described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 5, the return spring 32. automatically moves the shifting member 14' from the second end position II of FIG. 8 into the intermediate position I of FIG. 9 as soon as the key 2% is released. During such anticlockwise rotation of the shifting member 14, the rocking cam 25 bypasses the pallet 39 but the pallet 38 slides along the periphery of the shifting member 14 and enters into engagement with the end face of the arresting tooth 26 as soon as the shitting member reaches the intermediate position I of FIG .9, the engagement of the pallet 38 with the periphery of the shifting member 14- being due to the action of the spring 29 whose pawls 35 bear against the protuberance 36 of the retaining lever 37. An operator is then unable to move the shifting member 14 into the second end position II unless the key is again turned anticlockwise to move the shifting member into the first end position A in order to rock the pallet 38 away from the arresting tooth 2s. The rocking movement of the pallet 38 in clockwise direction is caused by the anticlockwise rotating cam 25 of the shifting member, the cam being free to travel in the slot 33 and in the slot formed between the legs of the protuberance 36 on the lever 37.

Of course, the shifting member 14 or "14' may move into one or more additional on positions, if desired. The arrangement is then such that the pallet 23 or 38 prevents forward movements of the shifting member from at least one on position into the next on position. The return spring 32 always tends to move the shifting member into that intermediate position in which the cooperating pallets and arresting teeth 23, 26 or 38, 26 prevent further rotation of the shifting member into the next on position.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended Within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims,

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a multi-position electric switch lock assembly, in combination, turnable shifting means movable between a first and a second end position through at least one intermediate position; means for turning said shifting means between said end positions; retaining means comprising a first and a second component; means turnably mounting said retaining means for rocking movements between a first and a second position; rocking means on said shifting means engageable with said first component when the retaining means is in its first position and said turnable shifting means is moving from said intermediate into said second end position thereof for causing said retaining means to tend to move into its second position; and arresting means on said shifting means adapted to prevent movement of said shifting means in the direction towards said second end position thereof and engageable with said second component only when the retaining means has moved into said second position and the shifting means is in said intermediate position so as to prevent turning of said shifting means from said intermediate toward said second end position thereof.

2. In a multi-position electric switch lock assembly, in combination, turnable shifting means movable between an open end position and a closed end position through at least one closed intermediate position; means for turning said shifting means between said end positions; resilient means connected with said shifting means for constantly biasing the shifting means from said closed end position into said closed intermediate position; retaining means comprising a first and a second component; means turnably mounting said retaining means for rocking movements between afirst and a second position; second resilient means for yieldably holding said retaining means in each of its positions; rocking means on said shifting means engageable with said first component when the retaining means is in its first position and said turnable shifting means is moving from said closed intermediate into said closed end position thereof for causing said retaining means to tend to move into its second position under the action of said second resilient means; and arresting means on said shifting means adapted to prevent movement of said turnable shifting means in the direction towards said closed end position thereof and engageable with said second component only when the retaining means has moved into said second position and the shifting means is in said closed intermediate position so as to prevent turning of said shifting means from said closed intermediate toward said closed end position thereof, said rocking means engaging with said second component and rocking the retaining means from its second into its first position when the shifting means is returned from said closed intermediate position into said closed end position,

3. In a multi-position electric switch lock assembly, in combination, a shifting member of insulating material mounted for turning movement between a first and a second end position through at least one intermediate position; a device for turning said shifting member between said end positions; a return spring connected with said shifting member for constantly biasing the shifting member from said second end position into said intermediate position; retaining means comprising a first and a second component; a member turnably mounting said retaining means for rocking movements between a first and a second position; resilient means for yieldably holding said retaining means in each of its positions, one of said means formed with pawl means and the other of said means formed with first and second detent means respectively receiving said pawl means when the retaining means is in its first and second position; a rocking cam provided on said shifting member and engageable with said first component when the retaining means is in its first position and said shifting member is moving from said intermediate into said second end position thereof for causing said retaining means to tend to move into its second position under the action of said resilient means; and an arresting tooth on said shifting member adapted to prevent movement of said shifting member in the direction towards said second end position thereof and engageable with said second component only when the retaining means has moved into said second position and the shifting member is in said intermediate position so as to prevent turning of said shifting member from said intermediate into said second end position thereof, said cam rocking the retaining means from its second into its first end position against the bias of said resilient means to thereby move the pawl means from engagement with the second into engagement with the first detent means when the shifting member is returned from said intermediate position into said first end position.

4. In a multi-position electric switch lock assembly, in combination, a shifting member of insulating material mounted for turning movement between a first and second end position through at least one intermediate position; a device for turning said shifting member between said end positions; a return spring connected with said shifting member for constantly biasing the shifting member from said second end position into said intermediate position; retaining means comprising a first and a second component; a member turnably mounting said retaining means for rocking movements between a first and a second position; resilient means for'yieldably holding said retaining means in each of its positions, one of said means formed with pawl means and the other of said means formed with first and second detent means and with a proturoerance intermediate said detent means, said first and second detent means respectively receiving said pawl means when the retaining means is in its first and second postion; a rocking cam provided on said shifting member and engageable with said first component when the retaining means is in its first position and said shifting member is moving from said intermediate into said second end position thereof for causing said retaining means to tend to move into its second position under the action of said resilient means; and an arresting tooth on said shifting member adapted to prevent movement of said shifting member in the direction towards said second end position thereof and engageable with said second component only when the retaining means has moved into said second position and the shifting member is in said intermediate position so as to prevent turning of said shifting member from said intermediate into said second end position thereof, said cam rocking the retaining means from its second into its first end position against the bias of said resilient means to force the pawl means over said proturberance and to thereby move the pawl means from engagement with the second into engagement with the first detent means when the shifting member is returned from said intermediate position into said first end position.

5. In a multi-position electric switch lock assembly, in combination, a shifting member of insulating material mounted for turning movement between a first and a second end position through at least one intermediate position; a device for turning said shifting member between said end positions; a return spring connected with said shifting member for constantly biasing the shifting member from said second end position into said intermediate position; retaining means comprising a first and a second component; a member turnably mounting said retaining means for rocking movements between a first and a second position; resilient means for yieldably holding said retaining means in each of its positions, said resilient means formed with pawl means and said retaining means formed with a first and a second detent notch and with a proturberance intermediate said notches, said first and second notches respectively receiving said pawl means when the retaining means is in its first and second position; a rocking cam provided on said shifting member and engageable with said first component when the retaining means is in its first position and said shifting member is moving from said intermediate into said second end position thereof for causing said retaining means to tend to move into its second position under the action of said resilient means by moving the pawl means over said proturberance into said second notch; and an arresting tooth on said shifting member adapted to prevent movement of said shifting member in the direction towards said second end position thereof and engageable with said second component only when the retaining means has moved into said second position and the shifting member is in said intermediate position so as to prevent turning of said shifting member from said intermediate into said second end position thereof, said cam rocking the retaining means from its second into its first end position against the bias of said resilient means to move the pawl mean over said protuberance and back into said first notch when the shifting member is returned from said intermediate position into said first end position.

6. In a multi-position electric switch lock assembly, in combination, a housing defining a compartment; a turntable shifting member received in said compartment; means supportingly connected with and adapted to turn said shifting member between a first and a second end position through at least one intermediate position; a pivot pin mounted in said compartment; a two-armed retaining member comprising a first and a second pallet and turnably mounted on said pivot pin for rocking movements between a first and a second position; resilient means mounted in said housing for yieldably biasing said retaining member in each of its positions; a rocking cam provided on said shifting member and engageable with said first pallet when the retaining member is in its first position and the shifting member is turned from the first end position into the second end position whereby the retaining member is caused to tend to rock into its second position; an arresting tooth on said shifting member adapted to prevent movement of said shifting mem her in the direction towards said second end position thereof and engaging with the second pallet only when the retaining member has moved into said second position and the shifting member is in said intermediate position so as to prevent turning of the shifting member from said intermediate into said second end position thereof, said cam engaging with the second pallet to rock the retaining member back into its first position when the shifting member is turned from said intermeidate position into said first end postion whereupon the shifting member is again free to turn into said second end position.

7. In a multi-position electric switch lock assembly, in combination, a cupped housing having a bottom wall and an open end portion; a lock cylinder received in said bottom wall and normally held against rotation with respect to said housing; a key insertable into said cylinder and adapted to rotate the same with respect to said housing; a terminal carrier of insulating material connected with the end portion of said housing; a plurality of stationary contactors mounted in said carrier; a shifting member received in said compartment and connected with said cylinder for rotation between a first and a second end position through at least one intermediate position; a follower received in said compartment and connected for rotation with said shifting member, said follower comprising movable contactor means; means operating between said shifting member and said follower for constantly biasing the latter into engagement with said stationary contactors; a helical return spring having ends anchored in said carrier and in said shifting member for constantly biasing the shifting member from said second end position into said intermediate position; a pivot pin connected with the bottom wall of said housing and extending toward said follower; a two-armed retaining lever rotatably mounted on said pivot pin, said lever having a first and a second pallet and rotatable between a first and a second position; a fiat spring permanently engaging with said lever and yieldably biasing the lever in each of its positions; a rocking cam provided on said shifting member and engaging with said first pallet when the lever is in its first position and the cylinder is rotated by said key to rotate the shifting member from the first toward and into said second end position whereby the lever is rocked from its first into its second position; and an arresting tooth provided on said shifting member and engaging with the second pallet when the lever is in its second position and the shifting member is in said intermediate position whereby the shifting member is held against rotation into said second end position, said cam engaging with said second pallet and rocking the lever back into its first position when the shifting member is rotated from said intermediate position into said first end position.

8. In a multi-position electric switch lock assembly, in combination, a cupped housing having a bottom Wall and an open end portion; a lock cylinder received in said bottom wall and normally held against rotation with respect to said housing; a key insertable into said cylinder and adapted to rotate the same with respect to said housing; a terminal carrier of insulating material connected with the end portion of said housing; a plurality of stationary contactors mounted in said carrier; a shifting member received in said compartment and connected with said cylinder for rotation between a first and a second end position through at least one intermediate position; a follower received in said compartment and connected for rotation with said shifting member, said follower comprising movable contactor means; means operating between said shifting member and said follower for constantly biasing the latter into engagement with said stationary contactors; a helical return. spring having ends anchored in said carrier and in said shifting member for constantly biasing the shifting member from said second end position into said intermediate position; a lug connected with said housing and extending into said compartment; a two armed retaining lever formed with a bearing groove receiving said lug whereby the lever is rockable about said lug between a first and a second position, said lever comprising a first and a second pallet; a flat spring permanently engaging with said lever and yieldably biasing the lever in each of its positions; a rocking cam provided on said shifting member and engaging with said first pallet when the lever is in its first position and the cylinder is rotated by said key to rotate the shifting member from the first toward and into said second end position whereby the lever is rocked from its first into its second position; and an arresting tooth provided on said shifting member and engaging with the second pallet when the lever is in its second position and the shifting member is in said intermediate position whereby the shifting member is held against rotation into said second end position, said cam engaging with said second pallet and rocking the lever back into its first position when the shifting member is rotated from said intermediate position into said first end position.

9. In a multi-position electric switch lock assembly, in combination, a cupped housing having a bottom wall and an open end portion; a lock cylinder received in said bottom wall and normally held against rotation with respect to said housing; a key insertable into said cylinder and adapted to rotate the same with respect to said housing; a terminal carrier of insulating material connected with the end portion of said housing; a plurality of stationary contactors mounted in said carrier; a shifting member received in said compartment and connected with said cylinder for rotation between a first and a second end position through at least one intermediate position; a follower received in said compartment and connected for rotation with said shifting member, said follower comprising movable contactor means; means operating between said shifting member and said follower for constantly biasing the latter into engagement with said stationary contactors; a helical return spring having ends anchored in said carrier and in said shifting member for constantly biasing the shifting member from said second end position into said intermediate position; a two armed retaining lever comprising a first and a second pallet; means provided in said compartment and mounting said lever for rotary movements between a first and a second position; a flat spring mounted in said housing and provided with pawl means receivable in a first and a second detent notch formed in said lever when the lever is in its first and second position, respectively; a rocking cam provided on said shifting member and engaging with the first pallet when the lever is in its first position and the cylinder is rotated by said key to rotate the shifting member from said first end position into said second end position whereby the lever is rocked into its second position; and an arresting tooth provided on said shifting member and engaging with the second pallet when the lever is in its second position and the shifting member is in said intermediate position whereby the shifting member is held against rotation into said second end positon, said cam engaging with said second pallet and rocking the lever back into its first position when the shifting member is rotated from said intermediate position into said first end position.

10. In a multi-position electric switch lock assembly, in combination, a housing defining a compartment; a turnable shifting member received in said compartment, said shifting member formed with a peripheral rocking cam and with a peripheral arresting tooth; means supportingly connected with and adapted to turn said shifting member between a first and a second end position through at least one intermediate position; a two-armed retaining lever having a first and a second pallet and a two-legged protuberance intermediate said pallets; means turnably mounting the lever in said compartment for rocking movements between a first and a second position; a flat spring mounted in said housing, said spring comprising two parallel webs each permanently engaging with one leg of said protuberance and said spring formed with a slot for the passage of said cam, said cam moved through said slot and between the legs of said protuberance to engage with the first pallet when the lever is in its first position and the shifting member is turned from the first end position into the second end position whereby the lever is caused to tend to rock into its second position, said second pallet engaging with said arresting tooth only when the lever has moved into said second position and the shifting member is in its intermediate position so as to prevent turning of the shifting member from said intermediate into said second end position thereof, said cam engaging with the second pallet to rock the lever back into its first position when the shifting member is turned from said intermediate position into said first end position.

11. In a multi-position electric switch lock assembly, in combination, turnable shifting means movable between a first and a second end position through at least one intermediate position; means for turning said shifting means between said end positions; retaining means comprising a first and a second component; means turnably mounting said retaining means for rocking movements between a first and a second position; resilient means for yieldably holding said retaining means in each of its positions; rocking means provided on said shifting means and engageable with said first component when the retaining means is in its first position and said turnable shifting means is moving from said intermediate into said second end position thereof for causing said retaining means to tend to move into its second position under the action of said resilient means; and arresting means adapted to prevent movement of said shifting means in the direction towards said second end position thereof and on said shifting means engageable with said second component only when the retaining means has moved into said second position and the shifting means is in said intermediate position so as to prevent turning of said shifting means from said intermediate into said second end position thereof, said rocking means engaging with said second component and rocking the retaining means from its second position back into its first position when the shifting means is returned from said intermediate position into said first end position.

12. In a three-position electric switch lock assembly, in combination, turnable shifting means movable between a first and a second end position through a single intermediate position; means including lock cylinder and key means for turning said shifting means between said end positions; retaining means comprising a first and a second component; means turnably mounting said retaining means for rocking movements between a first and a second position; resilient means for yieldably holding said retaining means in each of its positions; rocking means provided on said shifting means and engageable with said first component when the retaining means is in its first position and said turnable shifting means is moving from said intermediate into said second end position thereof for causing said retaining means to tend to move into its second position under the action of said resilient means; and arresting means adapted to prevent movement of said shifting means in the direction towards said second end position thereof and on said shifting means engageable with said second component only when the retaining means has moved into said second position and the shifting means is in said intermediate position so as to prevent turning of said shifting means from said intermediate into said second end position thereof, said rocking means engaging with said second component and rocking the retaining means from its second position back into its first position when the shifting means is returned from said intermediate position into said first end position.

13. In a multi-position electric switch lock assembly, in combination, turnable shifting means movable between a first and a second end position through at least one intermediate position; means for turning said shifting means between said end positions; retaining means comprising a first and a second component; means turnably mounting said retaining means for rocking movements between a first and a second position; resilient means for yieldably holding said retaining means in each of its positions; rocking means provided on said shifting means and engageable with said first component when the retaining means is in its first position and said turnable shifting means is moving from said intermediate into said second end position thereof for causing said retaining means to tend to move into its second position under the action of said resilient means; and first and second arresting means provided on said shifting means, said first arresting means engageable with said second component only when the retaining means has moved into said second position and the shifting means is in said intermediate position so as to prevent turning of said shifting means from said intermediate into said second end position thereof and said second arresting means engageable with said second component when the retaining means is in its second position and the shifting means is in said second end position so as to prevent turning of the shifting means beyond said second end position, said rocking means engaging with said second component and rocking the retaining means from its second position back into its first position when the shifting means is returned from said intermediate position into said first end position.

14. In a multi-position electric switch lock assembly, in combination, turnable shifting means movable between a first and a second end position through at least one intermediate position; means for turning said shifting means between said end positions; retaining means comprising a first and a second component; means turnably mounting said retaining means for rocking movements between a first and a second position; resilient means for yieldably holding said retaining means in each of its positions, said resilient means comprising a flat spring formed with pawl means and said retaining means formed with first and second detent means respectively receiving said pawl means when the retaining means is in its first and second positions; rocking means provided on said shifting means and engageable with said first component when the retaining means is in its first position and said turnable shifting means is moving from said intermediate into said second end position thereof for causing said retaining means to tend to move into its second position under the action of said resilient means; and arresting means adapted to prevent movement of said shifting means in the direction to wards said second end position thereof and on said shifting means engageable with said second component only when the retaining means has moved into said second position and the shifting means is in said intermediate position so as to prevent turning of said shifting means from said intermediate into said second end position thereof, said rocking means engaging with said second component and rocking the retaining means from its second position back into its first position when the shifting means is returned from said intermediate position into said first end position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,121,671 Schwarze Tune 21, 1938 2,242,167 Bentley et al May 13, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 688,886 Great Britain Mar. 18, 1953 832,722 Great Britain Apr. 13, 1960 

1. IN A MULTI-POSITION ELECTRIC SWITCH LOCK ASSEMBLY, IN COMBINATION, TURNTABLE SHIFTING MEANS MOVABLE BETWEEN A FIRST AND A SECOND END POSITION THROUGH AT LEAST ONE INTERMEDIATE POSITION; MEANS FOR TURNING SAID SHIFTING MEANS BETWEEN SAID END POSITIONS; RETAINING MEANS COMPRISING A FIRST AND A SECOND COMPONENT; MEANS TURNABLY MOUNTING SAID RETAINING MEANS FOR ROCKING MEANS ON SAID SHIFTING AND A SECOND POSITION; ROCKING MEANS ON SAID SHIFTING MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID FIRST COMPONENT WHEN THE RETAINING MEANS IS IN ITS FIRST POSITION AND SAID TURNABLE SHIFTIING MEANS IS MOVING FROM SAID INTERMEDIATE INTO SAID SECOND END POSITION THEREOF FOR CAUSING SAID RETAINING MEANS TO TEND TO MOVE INTO ITS SECOND POSITION; AND ARRESTING MEANS ON SAID SHIFTING MEANS ADAPTED TO PREVENT MOVEMENT OF SAID SHIFTING MEANS IN THE DIRECTION TOWARDS SAID SECOND END POSITION THEREOF AND ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID SECOND COMPONENT ONLY WHEN THE RETAINING MEANS HAS MOVED INTO SAID SECOND POSITION AND THE SHIFTING MEANS IS IN SAID INTERMEDIATE POSITION SO AS TO PREVENT TURNING OF SAID SHIFTING MEANS FROM SAID INTERMEDIATE TOWARD SAID SECOND END POSITION THEREOF. 